The Lemon IndexAll carsMitsubishiOutlander2009
200820102nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 10,283 in the U.S. in 2009 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 5 complaints in its first 3 years.
5 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Toyota RAV4 1272009 Honda CR-V 332009 Nissan Rogue 61
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander
- Rust / frame corrosion9 complaintsmostly at 71,000–122,000 miles (114,000–196,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 20V279000 (body structure), 18V069000 (engine) and 18V071000 (visibility) done? It has 13 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Mitsubishi sent dealers 106 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “On some vehicles, an active stability control (asc) steering wheel sensor has been installed”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mitsubishi's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 5 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
Problems Mitsubishi told dealers about
Mitsubishi sent dealers 106 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- On some vehicles, an active stability control (asc) steering wheel sensor has been installed
- This is a technical service bulletin (tsb) that was sent to dealers
- This technical service bulletin, provided to dealers, provides instructions to remove the…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 13
- Body structure · recall issued 2020
The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from.
- Engine · recall issued 2018
The drive belt automatic tensioner flange may crack, allowing the accessory drive belt to detach.
- Visibility · recall issued 2018
The sunroof glass may detach from the sunroof assembly, becoming a road hazard to other vehicles.
Show all 13 recalls
- Visibility · recall issued 2017
In the affected vehicles, water may drop between the hood and the windshield and leak into the wiper motor breathing hole.
- Visibility · recall issued 2016
In the affected vehicles, water may enter between the hood and windshield and cause the front wiper link ball joint to corrode, possibly resulting in the wiper link separating and the wipers becoming inoperative.
- Suspension · recall issued 2016
In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross me.
- Electrical · recall issued 2015
The affected vehicles have an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the head lights, tail lights, and windshield wipers.
- Visibility · recall issued 2015
In the affected vehicles, the blower motor may fail.
- Lights · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may malfunction causing the brake lights to not illuminate during brake application.
- Engine · recall issued 2014
The affected vehicles, manufactured with 4B1 engines, have an engine pulley and belt arrangement for turning the alternator, the cooling fan and the power steering pump (if equipped).
- Steering · recall issued 2014
A power steering fluid leak could result in a loss of steering assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2014
During servicing, the affected vehicles were repaired with replacement transfer case assemblies whose oil seal may come out of position.
- Service brakes, air · recall issued 2009
MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 39,711 MY 2008-2009 OUTLANDER AND LACER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Mitsubishi Outlander recall, all years · All Mitsubishi recalls
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,750–$3,150 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Mitsubishi Outlander year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mitsubishi-outlander/?y=2009" title="Mitsubishi Outlander reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mitsubishi-outlander/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Mitsubishi Outlander reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?
We can't score it: only 10,283 were sold in the U.S. in 2009 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are visibility (40%), brakes (20%) and speed control (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander have?
13 safety recalls (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander get?
19 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander cost in fuel a year?
About $2,750 to $3,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Mitsubishi Outlander year is better than the 2009?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2020 drew the fewest (about a third as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works